Shirley's Cafe & Bar — Restaurant in Victoria

Our experience was odd, to say the least.

We had booked a table for dinner prior to a show at the wedge. Upon arrival, we sat down and started browsing through what we thought was the specials menu with a small amount of options. Shortly after, it became apparent that this was the full menu that didn’t seem to include any entree options - not even a basic bread. We asked the waitress for the entree options, and we were told there were none. We thought that was a bit unusual.

The waitress also said their special for tonight was Beef Wellington, of which we heard the chef/manager yell out that they were sold out. This was at 6:15pm, 30 minutes after they opened at 5:45pm with a total of 10 customers seated (including us). That didn’t really bother us, but it was odd.

Whilst pondering the menu, we noticed how odd the ambiance was. There was no background music, which then highlighted the lack of noise from the kitchen (or anywhere else, for that matter). Normally you wouldn’t want to hear too much of the kitchen, however it was just so quiet in that space that we wanted to hear something. As it was so quiet, it then also highlight how cold it was, too.

We ordered our meals and a drink each, of which we finished whilst waiting quite some time for our meals. As there was no entrees, it probably made this time seem longer than it really was. Our meals came out and we were happy with them. My dish had a great serving size.

Sadly, even after collecting our empty glasses, we were never asked if we’d like to order more.

At one point, the chef started delivering meals from the kitchen, which again we thought was odd, as the two waitresses were still on the floor and not really doing much.

We had an older couple sitting next to us. Their meals came out (this time delivered by the manager) however the lady was told the bread for her soup had been forgotten by the chef (exact words) and would be brought out shortly. Their couple began eating their meal and waited patiently for the bread. At this point, I was wondering why the soup bread wasn’t an entree option - either by itself or with some balsamic vinegar. Surely it wouldn’t take much. Anyway, the gentleman finished his meal and had to approach the counter to ask for the bread. It seems the manager had forgotten to get the bread organised, so it took a further 5 minutes for this to come out. By now, the poor lady had mostly finished her soup and the show doors were just about to open.

Finally, I went to pay the bill and explained to the manager that no one asked if we wanted another drink. He was apologetic and took $5 off our bill which was nice, and allowed me to order some drinks before we went into the show. I ordered 2x premix drinks and waited at our table for another 5 minutes before they came out.

All in all, it was simply an odd experience. Whilst the food was good, all the other elements seemed to let the experience down. Compared to the original ‘Portside’ cafe, Shirley’s has a lot of...

Restaurant Review: A Culinary Gem with Outstanding Service and Atmosphere

I am very thankful for this restaurant, it delivered an unforgettable dining experience that deserves every accolade. From the moment we walked in, the warm ambiance, enhanced by the gentle tunes of live piano music, set the stage for a remarkable evening.

The meal began with a stunning plate of linguine, perfectly cooked and hearty, offering a delightful combination of flavors that left me completely satisfied. My wife, with her typically high-maintenance dietary requirements, was equally impressed. She opted for snapper, which was beautifully paired with a specially crafted chef’s sauce that elevated the dish to something truly extraordinary. The attention to detail in crafting such a personalized dish demonstrated the chef’s dedication and culinary expertise.

The highlight of the evening, however, came with dessert. Despite my wife’s specific dietary needs, which can often pose a challenge, the chef graciously accepted her off-menu request and produced a masterpiece. The dessert, as seen in the photo, was a symphony of fresh strawberries, blueberries, caramelized bananas, roasted nuts, and an artful drizzle of syrup. It was both visually stunning and indulgently delicious—a true testament to the chef’s creativity and commitment to customer satisfaction.

Adding to the magic of the evening was the impeccable service. The staff went above and beyond to ensure our comfort, and the live piano music created a sophisticated yet cozy ambiance that made the night feel special.

This restaurant is a rare gem, excelling in food, service, and atmosphere. It’s not just a place to dine but a destination for memories. We left with full hearts, full stomachs, and a newfound appreciation for culinary artistry. Highly...

I would agree with other reviewers that the service here is excellent, with friendly and engaged staff. As for the food - well, maybe I made the wrong choice of dish in the chicken wings but they came smothered in some kind of chili jam, as if it had just been ladled on from a jar. It might have appealed to a child but was way over sweet for most adults' taste. The dish was accompanied by 'coleslaw' which turned out to be cut up cabbage with no mayonnaise, just a smear of aioli on the plate next to it - it looked fine but who enjoys raw cabbage with no dressing? The whole dish was lazy, with more concern for appearance than taste. I overheard the waitress serving an adjoining table and reciting about six dishes that they'd sold out of, saying "We've had a really good day!" Well, good for the restaurant perhaps but not what a hungry customer wants to hear. It might have been better to talk up other dishes that were available and empathise more with their customers, who chose to see the funny side of their dilemma. As we were investigating Sale restaurants for a newly-formed walking group, we hope we can...